Phase-lock in all-digital phase-locked loops

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an all digital phase-lock loop (ADPLL). The ADPLL determines an error generated by a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) which is operated using a tuning word, stores information related to the error, and compensates for the error based on the stored information.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/575,196, which was filed on Oct. 7, 2009 nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,384,488. The entire contents of theApplication are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Phase locked loops (PLL) are control systems that generate signalshaving a fixed relation to the phase of a reference signal. Typically, aphase-locked loop circuit responds to both the frequency and the phaseof input signals, raising or lowering the frequency of a controlledoscillator until an oscillator signal is matched with a reference signalin both frequency and phase. Phase-locked loops are widely used inradio, telecommunications, computers, and other electronic applications.

The use of “all-digital phase locked loops” or ADPLLs is becomingpopular. An ADPLL may include the advantages of digital circuits, suchas lower power consumption, flexibility, better noise immunity,capability of digital signal processing, and so on. A typical ADPLL mayinclude a phase detector, a loop filter, and a digitally controlledoscillator (DCO).

The DCO produces a signal with a variable frequency. Generally, theinput to the DCO is a digital tuning word that controls the variableoutput frequency. Frequency-lock is obtained by using a correct digitaltuning word. However, the phases of the reference signal and the DCOoutput variable signal differ and have to be laboriously adapted inorder to achieve phase-lock. This lengthy process contravenes the strictoperating standard when hopping frequencies in Multi Band OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiplexing Ultra Wide Band (MB-OFDM-UWB).

In MB-OFDM-UWB, the PLL has to be able to produce a wide spectrum offrequencies. For example, FIG. 1 depicts five band groups. Within asingle band group 102, the carrier hops between three frequency bands(104, 106 and 108). These three frequency bands (104, 106, and 108) canbe separated by of 528 MHz or 1056 MHz for example.

FIG. 2 depicts a time-frequency allocation for frequency bands (104,106, and 108). As depicted, the Y-axis represents the frequency (MHz)and the X-axis represents time. Symbol 202 corresponds to a frequencyband 104 and, as time progresses, the frequency changes between eachfrequency band in a band group. For example, as depicted the frequencyband 104 (symbol 202) hops to frequency band 106 (symbol 204), whichhops to frequency band 108 (symbol 206), which hops back to frequencyband 104 (symbol 208) and so forth. Each symbol (202, 204, 206 and 208)is about 312.5 nano seconds (ns), the bands being changed within, forexample, a 9.5 ns hopping duration 210. Therefore, as seen in FIG. 2, abroadband frequency synthesizer has to be able to accomplish largefrequency hops within an extremely short period of time (e.g. 9.5 ns).Furthermore, the time 212 between a reoccurrence of a given frequencyband (e.g. 104) is also fairly short.

One conventional approach uses three PLLs, one PLL for each band withina frequency band group (i.e. FIG. 1 104, 106 and 108). However, thisrequires increased space and power consumption for the transmitting orreceiving device. Another conventional approach uses a single PLL incombination with mixers to generate a frequency band group. However,mixers introduce severe spurs that impair the quality of the frequencysignal. Therefore, a solution with only one fast-hopping PLL (preferablyan ADPLL) would have corresponding advantages. However, in order for anADPLL to accomplish large frequency hops within an extremely shortperiod of time (e.g. 9.5 ns); the ADPLL must be able to achieveimmediate phase-lock.

Another conventional approach operates an ADPLL in an open loop mode ofoperation. The open loop mode of operation is eventually closed in orderto calibrate a digital tuning word for a certain frequency. Duringtransmission, the digital tuning word is continuously loaded for a givenfrequency band and the DCO is controlled without feedback in the openloop mode of operation. Thus, for the given frequency band, the samedigital tuning word is used over and over again with no feedback in theopen loop mode of operation. Moreover, the DCO is subjected totemperature variation and voltage drifting, thereby introducing an errorin the output frequency signal. This conventional approach is unable tocompensate for this error because it continuously operates in an openloop mode of operation. To correct for this error associated with theDCO, this approach requires waiting for transmission pauses in order toperform a calibration. Furthermore, the quality of synthesizedfrequencies in this approach cannot be guaranteed by the open loop modeof operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Thesame numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like featuresand components.

FIG. 1 depicts five MB-OFDM-UWB frequency band groups.

FIG. 2 depicts a typical time-frequency allocation for a band group.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary environment in which techniques inaccordance with the present disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of one implementation of anADPLL according to this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is another simplified schematic diagram of one implementation ofan ADPLL according to this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram associated with an ADPPL according to thisdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is another timing diagram associated with an ADPPL according tothis disclosure.

FIG. 8 is yet another timing diagram associated with an ADPPL accordingto this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process that uses anADPLL to achieve phase lock according to this disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process that usesan ADPLL to achieve phase lock according to this disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating yet another exemplary process thatuses an ADPLL to achieve phase lock according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is directed towards techniques and methods for achievingrapid or immediate phase-lock using an all digital phase locked loop orADPLL. The ADPLL may be implemented in wireless communication systems,Bluetooth devices, ultra wideband devices, and so on.

The ADPLL may generally include a phase detector, a loop filter, adigitally controlled oscillator (DCO), and a feedback path utilized in aclosed loop mode of operation. The phase detector compares phases of areference phase signal with a variable feedback phase signal, andgenerates a phase error signal. The loop filter stabilizes the loop andfilters the phase error signal of the phase detector. The DCO maygenerate a range of frequencies from a plurality of stored digitaltuning words.

The digital tuning word may be configured to be set in accordance withthe frequency bands and the frequency hopping discussed in relation toFIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The variable frequency signal output by the DCO isfed back to the phase detector through the feedback path. Phase-lock isachieved using the ADPLL by determining the phase error in a closed loopmode of operation and compensating for the determined phase error. Oncethe phase error is determined, the digital tuning word for a particularfrequency band may be updated. This process may be repeated each ADPLLloop cycle. The updated digital tuning word may be stored for the givenfrequency band. In this sense, the ADPLL accommodates the phase errorintroduced when hopping (i.e. changing, switching) from a firstfrequency band to a second frequency band. Furthermore, the updateddigital tuning word is stored so that when the ADPLL hops to the samefrequency band again, the ADPLL will provide a more accurate digitaltuning word to the DCO. Thus, no transmission pauses, or waiting periodsare necessary in order to perform calibration as discussed in relationto the conventional approaches.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary environment 300 in which techniques inaccordance with the present disclosure may be implemented. For example,environment 300 may be implemented in wireless communication systems,mobile communication systems, Bluetooth systems, and so on. In thisimplementation, the environment 300 includes a communication device 302,or other mobile and/or electronic device, having one or more ADPLLcircuit(s) 304 configured in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure to achieve immediate phase-lock in a closed loop modeof operation. The ADPLL circuit 304 may include components that operateto provide immediate phase-lock; however, these components are not shownfor the sake of simplicity. The communication device 302 operativelycommunicates via one or more networks 306, such as wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), with a plurality of other devices 308 (A, B, C, D andE). Alternatively, the communication device 302 may bypass the networks306 and communicate directly with one or more of the other devices 308(A, B, C, D and E).

In the representative environment 300, the communication device 302 is ahand-held device, such as an MP3 (Moving Picture Exerts Group Layer-3)player, a personal data assistant (PDA), a global positioning system(GPS) unit, mobile telephone, smartphone, or other similar hand-helddevice, and the other devices 308 (A, B, C, D and E) may include, forexample, a computer 308A, another hand-held device 308B, a compact disc(CD) or digital video disc (DVD) player 308C, a signal processor 308D(e.g., radio, navigational unit, television, etc.), and a mobile phone308E. In alternate implementations, of course, the devices 302 and 308(A, B, C, D and E) may include any other suitable devices, and it isunderstood that any of the plurality of devices 302 and 308 (A, B, C, Dand E) may be equipped with ADPLL 304 that operate in accordance withthe teachings of the present disclosure.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 302 includes one ormore processors 310 and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 312(e.g., transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.) coupled to a systemmemory 314 by a bus 316. In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, theADPLL 304 is included as a component within the I/O devices 312 of thecommunication device 302. In alternate implementations, however, theADPLL 304 may be integrated with any other suitable portion of thedevice 302, or may be a separate, individual component of the device302.

The system bus 316 of the communication device 302 represents any of theseveral types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and aprocessor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. TheI/O component 312 may be configured to operatively communicate with oneor more external networks 306, such as a cellular telephone network, asatellite network, an information network (e.g., Internet, intranet,cellular network, cable network, fiber optic network, LAN, WAN, etc.),an infrared or radio wave communication network, or any other suitablenetwork.

The system memory 314 may include computer-readable media configured tostore data and/or program modules for implementing the techniquesdisclosed herein that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlyoperated on by the processor 310. For example, the system memory 314 mayalso store a basic input/output system (BIOS) 318, an operating system320, one or more application programs 322, and program data 324 that canbe accessed by the processor 310 for performing various tasks desired bya user of the communication device 302.

Moreover, the computer-readable media included in the system memory 314can be any available media that can be accessed by the device 302,including computer storage media and communication media. Computerstorage media may include both volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, and random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks(DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium, including paper, punch cards and the like, which can be used tostore the desired information and which can be accessed by thecommunication device 302.

Similarly, communication media typically embodies computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data in amodulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer readable media.

Generally, program modules executed on the device 302 may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., forperforming particular tasks or implementing particular abstract datatypes. These program modules and the like may be executed as a nativecode or may be downloaded and executed such as in a virtual machine orother just-in-time compilation execution environments. Typically, thefunctionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed asdesired in various implementations.

Although the exemplary environment 300 is shown as in FIG. 3 as acommunication network, this implementation is meant to serve only as anon-limiting example of a suitable environment for the presentdisclosure. Similarly, the device 302 is simply one non-limiting exampleof a suitable device that may include an ADPLL configured to achieveimmediate phase-lock in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary ADPLL 304 configured to achieve rapidimmediate phase-lock in a closed loop mode of operation. For the purposeof this disclosure the term “immediate phase lock” may also be used torefer to near-instantaneous phase-lock or rapid phase-lock. In otherwords, phase-lock happens in a very short amount of time, limited onlyby the switching of the DCO. The ADPLL 304 is a control system thatgenerates an output frequency signal in accordance with a digital tuningword. The ADPLL 304 may automatically raise or lower the frequency of adigitally controlled oscillator (DCO) 404 based on stored digital tuningwords corresponding to the frequency bands and frequency hops discussedin relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. To this end, the ADPLL 304 furtherincludes a phase detector 406, a loop filter and loop normalization 408,and a feedback path 410 including a frequency to phase converter.

In an implementation, a sampling frequency f_(ref) undergoes frequencyto phase conversion (not illustrated for the sake of simplicity, butunderstood by those skilled in the art). As a result of this conversion,a reference phase signal φ_(r) along with a feedback phase signal φ_(v),are both received at the phase detector 406. The feedback phase signalφ_(v) is obtained by converting a frequency signal f_(v) generated bythe DCO 404 in accordance with a digital tuning word, into a digitalphase signal using the feedback path with a frequency to phase converter410. The phase detector 406 may be digital logic that generates an errorphase signal φ_(e), which represents the difference in phase between thedigital reference phase signal φ_(r) and the digital feedback phasesignal φ_(v). For further understanding with regard to this disclosure,FIG. 4 indicates that the variable frequency signal f_(v) provided tothe feedback path with a frequency to phase converter 410 is an analogsignal, while a reference phase signal φ_(r) along with a feedback phasesignal φ_(v) are digital signals.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary ADPLL 304 in greater detail. Thefeedback path 410 converts the DCO generated frequency signal f_(v) intothe digital feedback phase signal φ_(v) to be compared with the digitalreference signal φ_(r) at the phase detector 406. The feedback path 410is implemented in ADPLL 304 to address temperature variation, voltagedrifting, and noise in the generated frequency signal f_(v). Accordingto this disclosure, when immediate phase lock is achieved, the errorphase signal φ_(e) should equal zero or be relatively close to zero fora type-II ADPLL. Immediate phase lock is achieved because the feedbackpath 410 determines a phase error introduced when the DCO is operated inaccordance with a frequency hop. The phase error is digitally calculatedand digitally compensated for in a single ADPLL loop cycle and phaselock is achieved immediately. Therefore, the ADPLL does not have toperform numerous ADPLL cycles in order to obtain phase-lock.

The reference phase φ_(r) may be calculated by accumulating N_(r) at therate of the reference frequency, where N_(r) is the frequency commandword that corresponds to the ratio between the variable frequency f_(v)and reference frequency f_(ref), or in other words, to the desirednumber of variable frequency f_(v) periods within one digital retimedreference signal CKR cycle (discussed in further detail below inrelation to FIG. 6-8). It is to be noted that N_(r) may be an integer ora fractional number. Control logic 502 stores frequency command wordN_(r) in storage component 504, and provides frequency command wordN_(r) to an accumulator 506 in association with a particular frequencyband discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, control logic 502 and storage component 504 are partof the ADPLL circuit(s) 304. In another embodiment, control logic 502and storage component 504 are part of the communication device 310 andthe ADPLL is connected to the control logic 502 and storage component504 via the bus 316 shown in FIG. 3.

The storage component 504 stores a plurality of frequency command wordsN_(r). For example, storage component 504 may store a frequency commandword N_(r) for each particular frequency band (e.g. 102, 104 and 106)discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The control logic 502changes (i.e. provides a different) N_(r) when the ADPLL 304 hops (i.e.switches or changes) from one frequency band to another.

Similar to the plurality of frequency command words N_(r), storagecomponent 504 may store a plurality of digital tuning words d for eachparticular frequency band (e.g. 102, 104 and 106) discussed in relationto FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The control logic 502 changes (i.e. provides adifferent) the digital tuning word d when the ADPLL 304 hops (i.e.switches or changes) from one frequency band to another. Accordingly,when the ADPLL hops from a first frequency to a second frequency,control logic 502 provides a new frequency command word N_(r) toaccumulator 506, and a new digital tuning word d to operate the DCO 404.Control logic 502 may determine which digital tuning words d to provideto operate the DCO 404 via look up table (LUT) 508. LUT 508 may becoupled to the control logic 502 (as depicted in FIG. 5) or may belocated in storage component 504.

Thus, the signal input to the ADPLL 304 in FIG. 5 is the frequencycommand word N_(r), which defines the desired output signal of the ADPLL304 as a multiple of a reference frequency signal f_(ref) (discussed infurther detail below in relation to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7), such that thedesired frequency signal f_(v) ^(ss) is defined by the followingequation:f _(v) ^(ss) =f _(ref) N _(r)  (1)Accumulator 506 produces the reference phase signal φ_(r) byaccumulating the frequency command word N_(r). The reference phasesignal φ_(r) is fed to the phase detector 406, where the reference phasesignal φ_(r) is compared with the digital feedback phase signal φ_(v).

The output of the phase detector 406 is the phase error signal φ_(e).The phase error signal φ_(e) represents the variation between thedigital feedback phase signal φ_(v) in comparison with the referencephase signal φ_(r). The phase error signal φ_(e) may be fed to the loopfilter/loop normalization block 408 as would be well understood by oneskilled in the art without further explanation.

The control logic 502 determines, via LUT 508 for example, which digitaltuning word d should operate the DCO 404 for a particular frequencyband. The control logic 504 provides the digital tuning word d to asummation point 510. The summation point 510 then injects the digitaltuning word d into the DCO 404. The DCO 404 converts the digital tuningword d into an analog variable frequency signal f_(v). A part of thegenerated signal f_(v) is fed back to the phase detector 406 via thefeedback path 410.

The feedback path with the frequency to phase converter 410 converts thevariable frequency signal f_(v) into a digital feedback phase signalφ_(v). The feedback path 410 may convert the variable frequency signalf_(v) into an integer phase signal and a fractional phase signal. Theinteger phase signal and the fractional phase signal are added up toproduce φ_(v), as is well understood in the ADPLL art.

Furthermore, the reference signal f_(ref) and the generated variablefrequency signal f_(v) in the ADPLL 304 may be different frequencies andtheir rising edges may not be synchronized. Accordingly, the generatedfrequency signal f_(v) along with the reference signal f_(ref) may befed to a time to digital converter (TDC) 512. The TDC 512 may beimplemented in different forms, for example, one implementation uses anarray of inverters with one inverter delay as a quantization step.Furthermore, generated frequency signal f_(v) may be provided to anaccumulator 514 and Flip-Flop 516A and 516B. Reference signal f_(ref)may also be provided to Flip-Flop 516B. Flip-Flop 516B produces retimeddigital reference clock CKR.

Thus, using the exemplary implementation in FIG. 5, there are, generallyspeaking, three clock signals: the uniform reference clock REF @ f_(ref)(index n), the DCO output clock CKV @ f_(v) (index i), and the retimeddigital reference clock CKR (time index m). The retimed digitalreference clock CKR synchronizes the REF clock domain and the CKV clockdomain. The retimed reference clock CKR is non-uniform and, thusintroduces a retiming error ε[m] as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The TDC 512 is configured to measure retiming error ε[m]. For each ADPLLfeedback loop cycle, the TDC 512 can store the retiming error ε[m] in anassociated storage component 518. In one embodiment, storage component518 and storage component 504 may be separate storage componentsassociated with the ADPLL circuit. In another embodiment, storagecomponent 518 and storage component 504 may be the same storagecomponent or maybe connected. The TDC 512 measures the time between therising edge of the reference clock REF and the next rising edge of theCKV clock. The TDC output is then fed to Flip-Flop 516C and multiplier520. At multiplier 520, the time quantity is normalized by the period ofthe variable frequency signal f_(v) (i.e. T_(v) ^(ss)).

In the event of a frequency hop to a particular frequency band (e.g.switching frequency bands as discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG.2), the control logic 502 may simply determine a digital tuning word dcorresponding to the particular frequency band. It is assumed that theinjected digital tuning word d used to operate the DCO 404 correctlyproduces the desired frequency corresponding to the particular frequencyband. However, as previously discussed, the DCO is subjected totemperature variation, voltage drifting and noise. Furthermore, a changein frequency introduces a new phase error when changing (i.e. hopping orswitching) from a first frequency to a second frequency, and thus, phaselock is lost. This introduced phase error may be determined in thefeedback loop 410 and compensated for in the ADPLL 304 in order toachieve immediate phase-lock.

FIG. 6 depicts a timing diagram 600 showing the synchronization of CKV602 and REF 604 via the retimed digital reference clock CKR. In FIG. 6,N_(ckv)[m] is the actual number of variable frequency f_(v) cycleswithin one retimed digital reference signal CKR 606 cycle. As previouslydiscussed, the frequency command word N_(r) is the number of desiredvariable frequency f_(v) cycles within one retimed digital referencesignal CKR 606 cycle. Since the retimed digital reference signal CKR 606is non-uniform and introduces an error, N_(CKR)[m] is accumulatedinstead of N_(r), where N_(CKR)[m] is the desired number of CKV cycleswithin one retimed digital reference cycle CKR. Due to the retiming, oneCKV cycle is extended by ε[m] but shortened by ε[m−1]. Accordingly,accumulator 506 (or its output signal) may be expressed using thefollowing equation:φ_(r) [m]=φ _(r) [m−1]+N _(r),  (2)the feedback accumulator 514 (or its output signal) may be expressedusing the equation:φ_(v) [m]=φ _(v) [m−1]+N _(CKV) [m],  (3)Where the value N_(CKV)[m] is the actual number of CKV cycles within aretimed reference cycle. The feedback accumulator 514 increases by theN_(CKV)[m] in the mth CKR cycle. The retimed reference phase signal maybe expressed using the equation:φ_(CKR) [m]=φ _(CKR) [m−1]+N _(CKR) [m],  (4)Thus, as implemented in FIG. 5, control logic 502 can compute:φ_(CKR) [m]=φ _(r) [m]+ε[m].  (5)

As previously discussed, the TDC 512 measures and stores a retimingerror ε[m] for each retimed digital reference signal CKR 606 cycle. Theretiming error ε[m] is measured and calculated by:ε[m]=t _(ε) [m]/T _(v) ^(ss) [k]  (6)where t_(ε)[m] is the measured time between a rising edge of the digitalreference clock 604 and the next rising edge of the variable frequencyf_(v) 602, T_(v) ^(ss)[k] is the variable period in steady-state (i.e.1/f_(v) ^(ss)[k]), and k is equal to the frequency band index associatedwith the frequency hopping discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.For example, using FIG. 2, k could correspond to the first band 104, k+1could correspond to the second band 106, and so forth. Looking atequation (6) above, one can discern that the retiming error ε[m] dependson the variable frequency f_(v) 602, and thus changing the variablefrequency f_(v) 602 (e.g. when frequency hopping) affects the retiming.

As a result of the normalization to T_(v), in the case of a frequencychange the stored value of ε[m−1] (e.g. the previous CKR cycle stored instorage component 518) is incorrect because the “old” variable frequencyis not the same as the “new” variable frequency. However, the values ofT_(v)[m−1] (i.e. the old variable frequency period) and T_(v)[m] (thenew variable frequency period) are known due to the variable frequencygenerated by the DCO in response to a change in the stored digitaltuning words, and ε[m−1] has been previously measured by the TDC 512 andstored in storage component 518. Therefore, using the known values ofT_(v)[m−1], T_(v)[m] and ε[m−1] the control logic 502 can digitallycompensate for the introduced phase error. Accordingly, the phase errorintroduced with each hop is equal to:Δε[m]=(t _(ε) [m−1]/T _(v) ^(ss) [k])−(t _(ε) [m−1]/T _(v) ^(ss)[k+1])  (7)Here, (t_(ε)[m−1]/T_(v) ^(ss)[k])=ε[m−1], which is the retiming errorstored in the storage component 518, and (t_(ε)[m−1]/T_(v) ^(ss)[k+1])represents the desired retiming error. Thus, the error can be digitallycompensated on the basis of modifying the reference phase:φ_(r) [m]=φ _(r) [m]+Δε[m]  (8)

The addition of Δε[m] to φ_(r)[m] is illustrated in FIG. 5 at theaccumulator 506. The control logic 502 digitally calculates Δε[m] basedon the TDC measurements and adjusts φ_(r)[m] in a closed loop mode ofoperation. Furthermore, the control logic 502 may update a state of theADPLL for a particular frequency band. The state of the ADPLL refers toone or more values associated with the particular frequency band, whichare stored in storage component 504 and/or storage component 518.Specifically, Δε[m] may be used to update the digital tuning word forthe particular frequency band and store the updated digital tuning word,for example in LUT 508 and/or storage component 504. The updated digitaltuning word d′ is depicted in FIG. 5 as being provided back to thecontrol logic 502. In this sense, the ADPLL continuously updates andrestores the state of an ADPLL for a particular frequency, therebyproviding a first state, second state, third state and so on for theparticular frequency band each time the digital tuning word is updatedand restored.

By updating and restoring the state of an ADPLL for each frequency band,the ADPLL may be configured to provide a more accurate digital tuningword the next time the ADPLL switches (e.g. hops) to the same frequencyband as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. Thus, the ADPLL, in a closedloop mode of operation, not only accommodates a phase error introducedwhen switching from a first frequency to a second, different frequency,but also accommodates temperature variation and voltage driftingassociated with the DCO such that desired frequency can be output moreaccurately. In this sense, the ADPLL is always updating the state of theADPLL in the associated storage components 504 and 518.

However, the calculation in equation (8) may be affected by impairedmeasurements due to transient behavior associated with the DCO. The DCO404 is typically an LC oscillator including an inductor (“L”) and acapacitor (“C”) connected in parallel. An LC oscillator cannot switchfrom a first frequency to a second frequency instantaneously. Therefore,when the ADPLL performs large frequency hops (e.g. 1056 MHz as discussedin relation to the MB-OFDM-UWB in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) the DCO issubjected to transient behavior. FIG. 7 depicts a timing diagram 700illustrating a period of DCO transient behavior at 702. In order toovercome these impaired measurements, two techniques are proposed. Thesetechniques perform digital computations to address the DCO transientbehavior.

The first technique addressing the DCO transient behavior employs anopen loop cycle prior to closing the loop of the ADPLL 304. In responseto a frequency hop (e.g. 702), the ADPLL 304 uses the same stored tuningword d for the first and second ADPLL cycle after the frequency hop.During the first cycle, the TDC 512 measures ε[m]. However, the ADPLL304 does not update the stored tuning word. After the first ADPLL cycle,the phase signals are adjusted using:N _(CKR) [m]=N _(r) [k]+ε[m]−ε[m−1],  (9)in the second cycle after a frequency hop such that:φ_(e) [m]=N _(e) [m]=N _(CKR) [m]−N _(CKV) [m],  (10)where:N _(CKV) [m]=φ _(v) [m]−φ _(v) [m−1].  (11)One way to do this is by setting:φ_(r) [m]=φ _(v) [m−1]−ε[m−1]+N _(r) [k],  (12)such that the phase error becomes:φ_(e) [m]=φ _(r) [m]−φ _(v) [m]+ε[m]=φ _(v) [m−1]−ε[m−1]+N _(r) [k]−φ_(v) [m]+ε[m]=N _(e) [m].  (13)

The second technique addressing the DCO transient behavior comprises aprocess that remains in a closed loop mode of operation. Therefore, noopen loop cycle is necessary. This technique accommodates a measurementin the first cycle of the closed loop that would otherwise be impairedby the transient behavior of the DCO by using a modified measurementthat is not impaired by the transient behavior during the first cycleafter the frequency hop. For example, this technique may use a latterportion of the CKR cycle, such as the second half or last third portionof the CKR cycle for the measurement. This is depicted in FIG. 7 at 704where the values are divided by two. Using the second technique, thedigital tuning word d′ can be updated and restored as depicted inrelation to FIG. 5.

The second technique measures ε[m] and ε [m] in the first cycle after afrequency hop as illustrated in FIG. 7. As depicted, ε [m] is measuredwith reference to the falling edge of the REF clock 604 and the nextfalling edge of the retimed digital reference clock CKR 606. Note thevalue ε[m−1] is not used in this technique. Based on these measurements,the ADPLL 304 may adjust the phase signals in the second cycle after afrequency hop using:N _(CKR/2) [m]=N _(r) [k]/2+ε[m]− ε[m],  (14)such that:φ_(e) [m]=N _(e/2) [m]=N _(CKR/2) [m]−N _(CKV/2) [m],  (15)and:N _(CKV) [m]=φ _(v) [m]− φ_(v) [m], and  (16)where φ_(v) [m] is the feedback accumulator value sampled with thefalling edge of CKR. According to one implementation φ_(r)[m] isdetermined by:φ_(r) [m]= φ_(v) [m]− ε[m]+N _(r) [k]/2,  (17)such that the phase error becomes:φ_(e) [m]=φ _(r) [m]−φ _(v) [m]+ε[m]= φ_(v) [m]−ε ⁻ [m]+N _(r)[k]/2−φ_(v) [m]+ε[m]=N _(e/2) [m].  (18)

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary timing diagram 800 of the ADPLL 304. Thetiming diagram 800 shows the relation between various signals generatedin the ADPLL 304 at various stages (e.g. various reference cycles,change in frequencies, etc.). The timing diagram 800 may be used todescribe the operation of the ADPLL 304. In the timing diagram 800, thevariable frequency f_(v) hops from a first frequency to a secondfrequency as indicated by the dotted line at 802. Accordingly, a phaseerror φ_(e) is introduced when the frequency command word N_(r) ischanged from 1.5 to 2.5 in accordance with the variable frequency f_(v)hop 802.

FIG. 8 further illustrates the retiming error ε[m], N_(CKV), feedbackphase signal φ_(v), reference phase signal φ_(r) and CKR cycle index mas previously discussed.

Exemplary Methods

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method 900 to achieve immediate phaselock and update the state of the ADPLL for a particular frequency band.In one implementation, the exemplary method 900 can be implemented inthe ADPLL 304, and any circuit components connected to the ADPLL 304.The exemplary method 900 is described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. Theorder in which these methods are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described method blockscan be combined in any order to implement the methods, or alternatemethods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methodswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matterdescribed herein. Furthermore, the methods can be implemented in anysuitable hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof, withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

At block 902, control logic 502 receives an indication of a frequencychange in a communication or transmission. At this point, the ADPLLneeds to hop or switch from a first frequency band (e.g. an “old”frequency) to a second frequency band (e.g. a “new” frequency) inaccordance with the discussion related to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

At block 904, control logic 502 determines a digital tuning word d viathe LUT 508, for example. The digital tuning word d provided by thecontrol logic is injected (i.e. loaded) to operate the DCO 404 asdepicted in FIG. 5, thereby controlling the DCO 404 to output a variablefrequency signal f_(v) associated with the second frequency band. Thecontrol logic determines the digital tuning word in correspondence tothe frequency change, or in other words, the control logic associatesthe digital tuning word with the second frequency band that has been“hopped to” as discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In addition to determining the digital tuning word d associated with thesecond frequency band at block 804, the control logic 502 may alsodetermine and provide a corresponding frequency command word N_(r) tothe reference path as previously discussed in relation to FIG. 4 andFIG. 5.

At block 906, the TDC 512 measures a retiming error ε[m] in the feedbackpath 410. The TDC then stores the retiming error ε[m] in an associatedstorage component 518 so that the control logic 502 can calculate Δε[m]in the ADPLL. The control logic 502 uses the retiming error to digitallycalculate and digitally compensate for the introduced phase error,thereby achieving immediate phase-lock in a closed loop mode ofoperation. The measuring of ε[m] is previously discussed in relation toFIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

At block 908, the control logic 502 calculates Δε[m] and compensates forthe calculated values by providing Δε[m] to accumulator 506, therebyadding Δε[m] to the reference phase signal φ_(r)[m]. With thisadaptation immediate phase-lock is achieved in a closed loop mode ofoperation.

At block 910, the ADPLL 304 updates and restores the state with thecalculated compensation Δε[m]. In one embodiment, the ADPLL 304 updatesand restores the digital tuning word for the second frequency band,thereby accommodating the calculated error, so the next time the ADPLLhops to the second frequency band, the updated digital tuning word ismore accurate.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary method 1000 to achieve immediatephase lock and update the state of the ADPLL for a particular frequencyband. FIG. 10 includes similar blocks as FIG. 9. However, FIG. 10 alsoadds an embodiment where the ADPLL 304 performs an open loop cycle aspreviously discussed.

At block 1002, control logic 502 receives an indication of a frequencychange in a communication or transmission. At this point, the ADPLLneeds to hop or switch from a first frequency band (e.g. an “old”frequency) to a second frequency band (e.g. a “new” frequency) inaccordance with the discussion related to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

At block 1004, control logic 502 determines a digital tuning word d viathe LUT 508 for example. The digital tuning word d provided by thecontrol logic is injected (i.e. loaded) to operate the DCO 404 asdepicted in FIG. 5, thereby controlling the DCO 404 to output a variablefrequency signal f_(v) associated with the second frequency band. Thecontrol logic determines the digital tuning word in correspondence tothe frequency change, or in other words, the control logic associatesthe digital tuning word with the second frequency band that has been“hopped to” as discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In addition to determining the digital tuning word d associated with thesecond frequency band at block 804, the control logic 502 may alsodetermine and provide a corresponding frequency command word N_(r) tothe reference path as previously discussed in relation to FIG. 4 andFIG. 5.

At block 1006, the ADPLL performs a cycle in an open loop mode ofoperation. During this open loop cycle, the ADPLL 304 does not updatethe digital tuning word d. In other words, the ADPLL 304 does not updateand restore the state of the second frequency band during the firstcycle after the frequency hop from the first frequency band to thesecond frequency band. Instead, the DCO uses the same state previouslymeasured and stored for the second frequency band. This configuration ofthe ADPLL accommodates the transient behavior associated with the DCO aspreviously discussed in relation to the first technique.

At block 1008, during the second ADPLL loop cycle after a frequency hop,the ADPLL employs the TDC 512 to measure a retiming error ε[m] in thefeedback path 410 in a closed loop mode of operation. The TDC 512 thenstores the retiming error ε[m] in an associated storage component 518 sothat the control logic 502 can calculate Δε[m] in the ADPLL. The controllogic 502 uses the retiming error to digitally calculate and digitallycompensate for the introduced phase error, thereby achieving immediatephase-lock in a closed loop mode of operation. The measuring of ε[m] ispreviously discussed in relation to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

At block 1010, the control logic 502 calculates Δε[m] and compensatesfor the calculated values by providing Δε[m] to accumulator 506, therebyadding Δε[m] to the reference phase signal φ_(r)[m]. With thisadaptation immediate phase-lock is achieved in a closed loop mode ofoperation.

At block 1012, the ADPLL 304 updates and restores the state with thecalculated compensation Δε[m]. In one embodiment, the ADPLL 304 updatesand restores the digital tuning word for the second frequency band,thereby accommodating the calculated error, so the next time the ADPLLhops to the second frequency band, the updated digital tuning word ismore accurate.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another exemplary method 1100 to achieveimmediate phase lock and update the state of the ADPLL for a particularfrequency band. FIG. 11 includes similar blocks as FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.However, in this implementation the ADPLL 304 only utilizes measurementsprovided from the second half of the first CKR cycle after a frequencyhop, thereby maintaining a closed loop mode of operation as previouslydiscussed with regard to FIG. 7.

At block 1102, control logic 502 receives an indication of a frequencychange in a communication or transmission. At this point, the ADPLLneeds to hop or switch from a first frequency band (e.g. an “old”frequency) to a second frequency band (e.g. a “new” frequency) inaccordance with the discussion related to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

At block 1104, control logic 502 determines a digital tuning word d viathe LUT 508 for example. The digital tuning word d provided by thecontrol logic is injected (i.e. loaded) to operate the DCO 404 asdepicted in FIG. 5, thereby controlling the DCO 404 to output a variablefrequency signal f_(v) associated with the second frequency band. Thecontrol logic determines the digital tuning word in correspondence tothe frequency change, or in other words, the control logic associatesthe digital tuning word with the second frequency band that has been“hopped to” as discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In addition to determining the digital tuning word d associated with thesecond frequency band at block 804, the control logic 502 may alsodetermine and provide a corresponding frequency command word N_(r) tothe reference path as previously discussed in relation to FIG. 4 andFIG. 5.

At block 1106, the TDC 512 measures a retiming error ε[m] and ε[m] inthe feedback path 410 for a portion of the first cycle at the secondfrequency as discussed in relation to FIG. 7. The TDC 512 then storesthe retiming error ε[m] and ε[m] in an associated storage component 518so that the control logic 502 can calculate Δε[m] in the ADPLL. Thecontrol logic 502 uses the retiming error to digitally calculate anddigitally compensate for the introduced phase error, thereby achievingimmediate phase-lock in a closed loop mode of operation.

At block 1108, the control logic 502 calculates Δε[m] and compensatesfor the calculated values by providing Δε[m] to accumulator 506, therebyadding Δε[m] to the reference phase signal φ_(r)[m]. With thisadaptation immediate phase-lock is achieved in a closed loop mode ofoperation.

At block 1110, the ADPLL 304 updates and restores the state with thecalculated compensation Δε[m]. In one embodiment, the ADPLL 304 updatesand restores the digital tuning word for the second frequency band,thereby accommodating the calculated error, so the next time the ADPLLhops to the second frequency band, the updated digital tuning word ismore accurate.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms ofimplementing the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining afrequency command word corresponding to a particular frequency band;generating, by way of a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), avariable frequency signal based on a reference frequency and thefrequency command word; determining an error generated by the DCO;storing information related to the error; compensating for the errorbased on the stored information; detecting a hop from a first frequencyband to a second frequency band; and providing, in response to detectingthe hop, a new reference frequency and a new frequency command word. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the compensating for the errorincludes compensating for the error digitally in a closed loop mode ofoperation to provide immediate phase lock.
 3. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising performing one cycle in an open loop mode ofoperation prior to compensating for the error.
 4. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: determining a tuning word correspondingto the particular frequency band; and using the tuning word to at leastcause the DCO to generate the variable frequency signal.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, further comprising updating the tuning wordsubsequent to compensating for the error.
 6. The method according toclaim 4, wherein the determining the tuning word includes retrieving thetuning word from a look-up table.
 7. The method according to claim 1,wherein the determining the tuning word includes retrieving thefrequency command word from a storage including a plurality of frequencycommand words, each of the plurality of frequency command wordsassociated with a unique frequency band.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the providing a new reference frequency and a newfrequency command word includes providing a tuning word to the DCO basedon the detecting the hop.
 9. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: converting the variable frequency signal to a digital phasesignal; and comparing the digital phase signal to a reference phasesignal, wherein the determining the error includes determining the errorgenerated by the DCO based at least on the comparing of the digitalphase signal to the reference phase signal.
 10. An apparatus,comprising: a digital phase-lock loop (DPLL) circuit configured to:determine a frequency command word corresponding to a particularfrequency band; generate a variable frequency signal based on areference frequency and the frequency command word; determine a phaseerror associated with the variable frequency signal; store informationrelated to the phase error, compensate for the phase error based on thestored information; detect a hop from a first frequency band to a secondfrequency band; and provide, based on detection of the hop, a newreference frequency and a new frequency command word.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the compensation is performed digitallyin a closed loop mode of operation to provide immediate phase lock. 12.The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the DPLL is furtherconfigured to perform one cycle in an open loop mode of operation priorto the digital compensation performed in the closed loop mode ofoperation.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the DPLL isfurther configured to provide a tuning word to aid the generation of thevariable frequency signal, the tuning word corresponding to a firststate of the DPLL, and wherein the DPLL is configured to update thetuning word corresponding to a second state of the DPLL.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first state of the DPLL andthe second state of the DPLL correspond to a same frequency band. 15.The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the tuning word is storedin a system memory and determined by reference to a look-up table. 16.The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the phase error isintroduced as the DPLL hops from a first frequency to a secondfrequency.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the DPLL isfurther configured to: convert the variable frequency signal to adigital phase signal; and compare the digital phase signal to areference phase signal, wherein the phase error is determined based atleast on the comparison of the digital phase signal to the referencephase signal.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the DPLLis further configured to: determine a tuning word corresponding to theparticular frequency band; and further use the tuning word to generatethe variable frequency signal.
 19. A method, comprising: determining afrequency command word corresponding to a particular frequency bandbeing hopped to; generating, by way of a digitally controlled oscillator(DCO), a variable frequency signal based on a reference frequency andthe frequency command word; determining an error generated by the DCOusing a time-to-digital converter (TDC); retrieving a stored tuning wordcorresponding to the particular frequency band being hopped to; updatingthe stored tuning word as a function of the error; providing the updatedtuning word to the DCO to compensate for the error; compensating for theerror based on the updated tuning word; wherein the compensating isperformed digitally in a closed loop mode of operation to provideimmediate phase lock; and the method further comprising performing onecycle in an open loop mode of operation prior to executing thecompensating.
 20. The method of claim 19 and further comprising: storingthe updated tuning word; and providing the stored updated tuning word tothe DCO the next time the particular frequency band is hopped to. 21.The method of claim 19 and further comprising: storing the updatedtuning word; further updating the updated stored tuning word as afunction of the error, and providing the further updated tuning word tothe DCO the next time the particular frequency band is hopped to.